“I am a Perennial. I am forever blooming." These words became my mantra, a reminder of the journey I was on—a journey not just through the streets of Paris but through the depths of my own being. In a world that often tells us to shrink as we age, to become invisible, I wanted to be seen, to shine, to embody the spirit of a Perennial: forever blooming, courageous, beautiful.
Paris has always been a city that inspires. It’s a place where art meets life, where the air is filled with the promise of possibility, and the light seems to dance around you, whispering secrets of all who came before. It felt like the perfect setting for Genuist Beauty's first brand shoot, not just for its aesthetic appeal but for the deeper resonance it holds. Paris, like me, is forever blooming.
But this wasn't just about a photoshoot. This was about stepping into the light—literally and metaphorically. It was about moving beyond the internal dialogues that held me back, the voice in my head that said, *“Who do you think you are, parading around Paris like a 20-something influencer?”* It was about silencing that voice and replacing it with a louder one, a voice that says, *“I am enough. I am more than enough.”*
Becoming My Own Wonder Woman
It’s funny, the things that inspire us. For me, it was Wonder Woman. Not for her powers or her fight against evil, but for her perfect brows and the way she embodied strength and grace. There’s a scene in the first *Wonder Woman* movie where she glides across the Louvre, her cape flowing behind her, every step radiating power. That image stuck with me. It was a symbol of what I wanted to feel—powerful, graceful, and fully alive.
So, there I was, standing in the golden light of the Louvre, dressed in a red gown, channeling my inner Wonder Woman. The sun was rising, casting a magical glow that made everything look surreal, almost dreamlike. I remember thinking, This is over the top,” and then immediately pushing that thought away. Yes, it was over the top, and that was exactly the point. To be more, to feel more, to live more.
It wasn’t about having the perfect body or looking a certain way. It was about embracing who I was at that very moment. Fifty-six years old, with every line and every curve that told the story of my life. It was about standing tall, with my head held high, and knowing that I was not just enough—I was magnificent.
The Power of Saying Yes
As I stood there, I kept saying “Yes” out loud. Yes to this moment. Yes to feeling powerful. Yes to being seen. There’s something transformative about saying “Yes.” It activates something deep inside you, a surge of energy that propels you forward, that makes you feel alive.
This wasn’t just about me. It was about every woman who feels the pressure to become invisible as she ages. It was about being a voice louder than the one that tells us to shrink, to hide, to blend into the background. I wanted to be a beacon, a reminder that we have so much more to give, so much more to experience, no matter our age.
My whole life, I’ve been told I was too much. Too loud, too passionate, too dramatic. But I’ve come to realize that *being too much* is exactly what makes life worth living. It’s what keeps us alive, what keeps us blooming. It’s what keeps us perennial.
The Aliveness Meter
On a scale of 0 to 10, how alive do you feel? This is a question I ask myself often. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, to let the weight of responsibilities and expectations dull our sparkle. But life is too short not to feel fully alive. To laugh out loud, to dance like nobody's watching, to savor every moment.
Tony Robbins talks about living in a beautiful state, and it’s something that resonates with me deeply. It’s about focusing on what brings you joy, on what makes you feel good. It’s about holding your body with strength, not to achieve a six-pack but to feel grounded, to feel present. If you’re feeling down, get up, move, change your state. Put on your favorite song and dance. Go for a walk. Shake things up.
This is what it means to be perennial. It’s about continuously finding ways to bloom, to keep your spirit alive, to keep saying yes to life.
A New Chapter
This experience in Paris was the beginning of a new chapter for me and for Genuist Beauty. It was about more than just a photoshoot; it was about stepping into my power, about embodying the spirit of what it means to be a perennial. To be forever blooming, no matter what.
I want this to be more than just a movement; I want it to be a way of life. For every woman who feels like she’s too much or not enough, for every woman who feels like her best years are behind her, I want my experience to be a reminder that the best is yet to come. You have so much to give, so much to experience, so much to be. You are not just enough—you are extraordinary.
Looking Ahead: The Magic of Paris
Our Parisian photoshoot was not just a testament to this philosophy but a vivid exploration of what it means to live as a Perennial. From the historic steps of the Louvre to the blooming gardens of Giverny, from the bustling Seine riverbanks to the romantic glow of the Eiffel Tower, every moment captured was a celebration of ageless beauty. Each location brought out a different facet of the perennial spirit, embodying the message that beauty and grace have no age limit.
The original spark for this entire adventure was my desire to get a tattoo that would forever remind me of the Perennial spirit. This ink is more than just a design; it's a declaration, a promise to myself that I am forever blooming, forever evolving. What started as a personal journey led to this incredible visual narrative, and I can't wait to take you behind the scenes of the photoshoot in my next blog post. I’ll share the details of our days in Paris, the stories behind each shot, and the joy of living boldly and authentically.
Don't miss out on the story behind my 12-hour tattoo, a symbol of this perennial spirit that now lives on my arm, a constant reminder that we are forever blooming. You can read more about my journey to finding the perfect artist and the deeper meaning behind the ink that tells my story.
Let’s continue to break beauty barriers, to live loudly, and to embrace every chapter of our lives. Because we are Perennials—forever blooming, forever beautiful.
